Scientists and wildlife carers are urging drivers to watch for wombats on the Nullarbor Plain this summer as populations of the furry marsupial boom.
A recent University of Adelaide survey found southern hairy-nosed wombat numbers were sky-high, with up to 200 animals per square kilometre in some parts of the desert.
It comes after populations were decimated by drought between 2017 and 2019.
Researcher Mike Swinbourne said he was pleased to see wombats recovering.
"Since the drought's broken, conditions on the Nullarbor have been pretty good, grass is growing, there's been a bit of rainfall, a bit of water around," he said.
"It's very surprising — it's a lot of wombats, let me tell you."
Australia's 'underrated' animal
Dr Swinbourne said the "charismatic" animals could be found all across the Nullarbor — even on the WA side of the border, near Eucla and Mundrabilla.
"They are moving west, probably just past Caiguna, they will head west until they reach Balladonia," he said.
According to Dr Swinbourne, wombats usually stay east of the Fraser Range near Balladonia.
"They do prefer the open grassland and the flat areas like the Nullarbor," he said.
To Dr Swinbourne, wombats are "the most amazing animal in the country".
"They're probably underrated — everyone overseas has heard of kangaroos and koalas, but no one knows what a wombat is," he said.
"I fell in love with them as soon as I saw them.
"They live in some of the harshest environments … they're even better adapted to that environment than camels."
No square poos
Common wombats are famous for their cube-shaped droppings — but don't expect to spot perfect squares on the Nullarbor.
Southern hairy-nosed wombat poo is a little less distinctive.
"It's not exactly a cube, but not exactly round either," Dr Swinbourne said.
WA wildlife carer Rob Callander is also a massive wombat fan, having raised two into adulthood before they were sent to breeding programs.
"They have huge personalities, they're very, very intelligent, they know what you're thinking," Mr Callander said.
He joked his life was split in two sections — BW and AW: before and after wombat.
"It's a bit like living with a small grizzly bear — a funny one at that," he said.
Caution required
Mr Callander urged people to keep their eyes peeled on the road to avoid hitting wombats this summer — which he said could cause more damage than most people expected.
"Try to avoid driving at night," he said.
"Not only are there wombats, there are thousands of kangaroos … save the damage to your car if you're having a nice holiday."
